Can shipping rise to meet its environmental obligations and introduce sustainable ‘green’ measures while coping with shifting markets, volatile fuel prices and fast-moving change.
That’s the challenging question facing delegates attending this year’s International Shipping Conference hosted by the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) at the British Library, London on September 12 and 13, 2012.
The event will be chaired by the recently elected ICS Chairman, Masamichi Morooka (Japan) and will be addressed by IMO Secretary-General, Koji Sekimizu.
Keynote speaker and leading environmentalist Jonathon Porritt (Founder Director of Forum For The Future) predicts: “The ICS Conference will provide an excellent opportunity to explore how shipowners can meet their environmental obligations to society at large within a sustainable framework. I look forward to a robust debate.”
Mr Porritt, a passionate environmentalist for almost 40 years, is keen to explore initiatives designed to help the industry make long-term plans for future success. He believes that, while shipping has a compelling case as the most energy-efficient freight service, any return to growth will be unsustainable if the industry does not innovate to cut costs and reduce its environmental impacts.
ICS Secretary General, Peter Hinchliffe remarked: “We have some outspoken speakers and thought provoking topics and we are keen to open up discussion to the floor so come along and speak up!”
The day and a half conference will discuss a range of international regulatory and environmental issues, and will address key issues of concern to the shipping community such as crewing matters, safety and piracy.
Delegate spaces are limited – to see the latest programme and book a place see website: www.ics-shipping.org